Jurisdiction Chart

How the Human Rights Act Protects Everyone in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) has jurisdiction to investigate discrimination only if it happens because of a “protected class” reason. Every person is a member of a protected class; for example, every person has a race and a sex. There are exceptions to some provisions of the Act, and not every class is protected in each area as explained in the jurisdiction chart. For example, a restaurant can offer special discounts to senior citizens because age is not a protected class in public accommodations.

The Department also prohibits retaliation, which is encouraging, compelling, coercing or assisting unlawful discrimination, and efforts to obstruct people from obeying or enforcing the law.

Protected Classes & Areas

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business

COLOR

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business

CREED

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, and credit

RELIGION

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, and credit

NATIONAL ORIGIN

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business

SEX

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business

MARITAL STATUS

Employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit

DISABILITY

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Employment, housing, public services, education, credit

AGE

Employment and education

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Employment, housing, public accommodations, public services, education, credit, and business

FAMILIAL STATUS

Employment, Housing

LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ACTIVITY

Employment

Other prohibited Practices

Aiding/Abetting and Obstruction: The Act prohibits a person from aiding in a violation of the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA), coercing a person to violate the law, obstructing a person's compliance with the Act, or interfering with the department's performance of its duties.

Reprisal: The Act prohibits reprisal or retaliation because a person opposed a practice forbidden by the MHRA, filed a charge or participated in a matter brought under the Act; or because a person associated with a person or group of persons who are disabled or of a different race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin.